Golf offers physical, mental and social health benefits. Photo: The R&A
Photo: The R&A
The R&A has published a new edition of its golf and health report to further educate existing golfers, non-golfers, national federations and policy makers in government on the physical, social and mental benefits of the sport.
Following the recent launch of The R&A’s new five-year strategy with the purpose of ‘Opening Golf to the World’, the report showcases golf’s transformational impact on individuals and communities worldwide through documenting its health, wellbeing and social benefits.
It provides a comprehensive overview of golf as a health-enhancing activity for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds by highlighting the work of The R&A, national federations and the wider golf industry since 2021. It follows the publication of The R&A’s first golf and health report (2016-2020) in October 2020.
Through striking graphics, data and imagery, the new report details the health benefits by summarising the scientific research, the public exposure and increased interest among national federations, policy makers and other organisations. Ten case studies highlight the impact of collective endeavours and provide key learnings, spanning various work across the world.
The report also highlights The R&A is piloting a study to evaluate the health, wellbeing and economic impacts of golf participation across target countries to understand more about the full extent of golf’s positive impact on society. The R&A is committed to delivering over £25 billion in social value over the next five years in partnership with national federations.
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “As our new report highlights, it is amazing how much progress has been made over the last decade to evidence the positive impact golf can have on people’s lives.
“The health benefits of playing golf are a key selling point for the sport, educating golfers and encouraging new people into golf, as well as providing compelling evidence to policy makers. According to research, on average golfers live five years longer than non-golfers to illustrate the significant impact the sport has on life expectancy.
“The success of our new strategy depends on working collaboratively with our national federation partners to continue the momentum we have seen in participation growth. We can achieve this through promoting golf’s health benefits widely and encourage more people to play and engage with the sport more frequently worldwide.”
An epidemic of physical inactivity-related disease in most of the world’s populations, which has been responsible for more than three million deaths worldwide, has led to the World Health Organization calling for action by sports.
Since 2016, The R&A and its partners have sought to raise awareness of the health benefits of golf to encourage interest in participation by people of all ages and abilities, improve the sport’s image and increase advocacy for golf by government agencies and public health bodies.
The R&A has played a key role by funding research undertaken by Dr Andrew Murray of the University of Edinburgh, who advises across the golf industry and various governments. Robust research, data and key findings have been regularly published in world-leading international journals to support the principle that golf can lead to greater health and wellness benefits for participants and spectators attending events. As a result, golf can help reduce health costs and can add value to health systems.
Dr Murray, who acts as a Medical and Scientific Advisor for The R&A, added, “There are about 40 major chronic diseases, like heart attacks, Type 2 diabetes and types of cancer that can be benefited from regular physical activity like golf, while it’s also good for the brain.
“This new report helps bring the health benefits of the sport to life – how we can promote health through major events, how we can help people be at their best by maximizing performance and decreasing illness and injury, and how various initiatives can benefit golfers across the world. Then it’s just about giving everyone the opportunity to play the sport.”
A new golf and health report has been published by The R&A, highlighting the benefits for individuals and the wider golf industry. Photo: The R&A
The R&A has also directly supported other health activity, including being the sole funder of a Strength and Balance Study, sponsoring International Congresses on Golf and Health, collaborating with national federations to share key messages and assets and promoting to the general public and policy makers at amateur and professional championships, including The Open and the AIG Women’s Open. Furthermore, The R&A Foundation has supported research and community initiatives.
The new report also assesses the future of golf and health, as the sport aims to build on the foundations set and attract more golfers onto courses and into facilities around the world.
The R&A Golf and Health Report (2021-25) can be viewed here
